The Fractals - Death by Fender (2010)

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The Fractals - Death by Fender (2010)

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It’s Fender Jaguar guitars ahoy on the new release “Death by Fender” by a Duluth quartet called the Fractals.

Led by the talented axe-wielding duo of Jimi Cooper and Barry Pirkola, the Fractals draw on the seminal sound of the Ventures and surf guitar god Dick Dale, then combine that with the sonic rumblings of the legendary Link Wray and the British rock of the early Who to come up with a sound that is referenceable as well as their own.

The title track is dual Fender Jaguar guitars leading the attack with lots of tremolo, lots of eighth-note figures and lots of snaky little themes that dart and swerve between the two guitars.

“VooDoo Bossa” sounds like the spawn of the Allman Brothers mating with the theme song of a ’70s daytime dating show starring Wink Martindale.

Jimi Cooper’s “Space Fink” combines surf guitar with spaghetti western ambience like Dick Dale mixed with Enno Marrcoine.

“Fender Bender” is a little 12-bar blues riff with guitar generated 'hot rod sounds' surf solos and with a stop time section in the middle.

“Fractal Stroll” has the same vibe as its namesake “The Stroll,” (Think Link Wrays's 'Rumble') complete with hand claps and finger pops and a slinky groove.

Pirkala’s “What’s the Hesitation” is the pop-ier side of the Fractals with ’60s pop background “weeeooos”.

“My T-Bucket” is a funky little stroll featuring and old car horn and Lefty on vocals!

Continuing the hot rod theme, “Quarter Pounder” is not about hamburger as you might guess, but instead HOT ROD racing!

“Desert Shores” has the aroma of Santo & Johnny’s pedal steel instrumental ballad. This surf ballad evokes the peaceful feeling of a perfect day at a tropical beach.

“Mothra” has a Hendrix/Cream vibe. It goes hand in hand with the visual impact of Mothra, the famous giant moth that appears in Mothra vs Godzilla!

“Woodland Boys” also has ’60s Who stamped all over it. A tale of growing up in Duluth's rough Woodland community.


Genre: Surf guitar rock/’60s British rock

Recommended if you like: Dick Dale, Link Wray, the Who

Recorded at: Sub-Central Studios at Beaner’s Central

Produced by: The Fractals and Jason Wussow

Personnel: Jimi Cooper (guitars, vocals), Barry Pirkola (guitar, vocals), Lefty Sandman (bass, vocals), Marvin Pomeroy (drums)

About The Fractals:

The Fractals perform a wide variety of original music, rock-a-billy, rock, surf, old time country, classic rock and nearly everything in between. They are the house band on Thursday nights at the Thirsty Pagan Brewery in Superior Wisconsin and occasionally play other shows upon request. Barry Pirkola is the fearless leader of the pack. He and Lefty also play in The Hoot Owls, a surf/rock-a-billy variety band. Barry's guitar playing is sure to melt your face into a smile! The beer at the TPB should do the rest. The original Fractals began sometime in the fall of 2003 and included Eric Berry (Trampled by Turtles mandolin player) and Eric Pollard (Retribution Gospel Choir drummer). At the time the Fractals were an all acoustic band, often playing without even plugging into a PA. Currently the Fractals have been playing mostly electric guitars, but they mix it up from week to week, so you can expect the unexpected! Come get an ear full and a glass full of great, locally brewed beer at the Thirsty Pagan!

Info from The Myspace

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The Fractals - Death by Fender (2010)

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